India wants WTO to consider 'escape clauses

India has pitched for a global pandemic response system that would map manufacturing capacities and demand of medicines and medical equipment and allow special visas or permits for healthcare professionals.
New Delhi also suggested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) consider an 'escape clause' for countries, relying on flexibilities in trade agreements, to avoid disputes while tackling the current pandemic and any other in future. India said during the current Covid-19 pandemic, a pool of goods such as oxygen concentrators, essential medicines and oximeters, and services through temporary measures involving special permits for the short-duration supply of healthcare professionals for four to eight weeks, both physically or remotely to address acute shortages, could be created.